Few would have thought so |
Hoffenheim causes a table surprise
National coach Hansi Flick sees his former club Hoffenheim win. The Hopp-Klub defeated Mainz 4:1, even stormed into second place after their fourth win of the season – tied with Bayern!
Tongue-clicking This goal is Champions League!
10.09.2022
Coach Andre Breitenreiter is swimming on the wave of success because a dismissal throws Mainz out of step just before the break. Defender Robin Hack initially stops Rutter outside the box, then the Frenchman goes down in the penalty area (41′). Referee Schlager pulls out red because of the emergency brake, after a VAR check he even points to the point. But Kramaric puts the penalty to the left of the box (44th). The Croatian had previously lost to Manuel Riemann in the 3-2 win over Bochum on matchday two.
After the break, Hoffenheim really gets going with a majority! After fine preparatory work by Rutter, goalscorer Kramaric shoots the ball into the net with a side kick to take the lead (53′). Later Prömel (69th) and Dabbur (80th) make everything clear. Kohr’s goal (83rd) is only a cosmetic result. Kaderabek (90 + 2) puts the final point. Hoffenheim wins the first three home games of a Bundesliga season for the first time.
For Mainz, who are strong away from home (previously four wins in a row), a super series comes to an end. There are also concerns about striker Jonny Burkardt. After a foul by Akpoguma, he was over after just 14 minutes. Burkardt limped barefoot into the dressing room with a bandaged right shin and a lacerated foot.
Sports director Martin Schmidt after the defeat at “Sky”: “Then we’ll start a home series again. We’re not falling over!”
